Nowadays, singers focus on gaadis and ghar, work only for money: Alka Yagnik

Singer Alka Yagnik feels that the singers active in the film industry these days don’t value their work. “Today, there are so many diversions and temptations for the singers. Showbiz and glamour are top priority for them. Gaadiyan chahiye, ghar chahiye (they want cars, big houses). People have started working only for money, and though many are talented, they don’t know how to find a footing in the industry.”

While she does acknowledge that money is an essential part in any career, she dislikes the fact that the focus is no longer on work. “When you do good work and sing well, money comes along, but that shouldn’t be the only aim. Your energy and focus get diluted, and thus work suffers too,” adds the 51-year old, who has been in the Hindi music for over 30 years now, and sung hits such as Tip Tip Barsa Paani (Mohra;1994), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH;1998) and the recent Agar Tum Saath Ho (Tamasha;2015).

Alka also feels that Indian listeners have comparatively more regard for international singers who visit India for concerts. She says, “Indians itna sar pe chadha dete hain (Indians give too much importance to them), and welcome them with open arms, and behave with so much enthusiasm. I don’t think we Indian artists get adulation of that level, except maybe Pt. Ravi Shankar Ji and Zakir Hussain.” When asked the reason we don’t get to hear her more often in songs today, she says it is a conscious decision. “Offers are still there, but I don’t gel well with the pop, upbeat songs. The focus is only on punch words which don’t make sense, and there is less soul in music.”

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